Washington Capitals Place Matt Niskanen On LTIR

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 13: Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on October 13, 2017 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals placed defensemen Matt Niskanen on long-term injured reserve Saturday morning with an upper-body injury. Washington would also clear up cap and roster space in order to recall Madison Bowey from Hershey in the American Hockey League.

Bowey will make his NHL debut when the Caps take on the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. EST | NBCSP, NBCSWA, NHL.TV). He will also be paired up with Christian Djoos, who also made his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This will be a partnership rekindled as they were linemates in Hershey last season.

As a member of the top blue line pair for Washington, Niskanen’s absence will certainly hurt the team for the next few weeks. The earliest he can return is their November 7th match-up against the Buffalo Sabres.

Washington Capitals Place Matt Niskanen On Long-Term Injured Reserve

During the Caps game on Friday against the New Jersey Devils, Niskanen headed into the locker room during the second period and did not return. He was ruled out of the third period and was seen with a wrap on his hand after the game. The Capitals have listed him as week-to-week.

Averaging 23:22 of ice time through the first four games, the 30-year-old stable defensemen has recorded one assist in Washington’s first five games. He played just a little over 12 minutes against the Devils before leaving with injury. Washington would win the game 5-2.

Career Stats

Niskanen got his start in the NHL when he was drafted 28th overall in the first round of the 2005 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars.

During his time in Dallas, the Virginia, Minnesota native racked up 16 goals and 66 assists from 2007-2011. Niskanen was then shipped away to the Pittsburgh Penguins. There he recorded 19 goals and 66 assists from 2011-2014. After his tenure in Pittsburgh, he was signed by the Washington Capitals as an unrestricted free agent.

Niskanen recorded 14 goals before this season started with the Caps, all while tallying up 89 assists, giving a grand total of 41 goals and 229 assists for 270 career NHL points.